Gemotions

The air inside the house felt stifling. Linda found herself sitting on the stairs, staring at the floorboards. Her daughter, Emily, had left her tablet on the couch. A hidden Instagram account.

She could hear Emily's laughter from the backyard. The sound was bright, cheerful, so unlike the weight that was now settling in Linda's chest. She felt no fire, no urge to investigate.

She closed her eyes, the rhythmic creak of the porch swing a dull counterpoint to the laughter. The sun was warm on her face. She took a breath. Then she just sat there.